News & Notes From Thoroughbred Racing 9-11-2012

Updated on September 11, 2012

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DerbyDeals.com Fall Sale Is On!

Just last week, Haskell Invitational winner Paynter was in dire straits. Since then, he seems to be making improvements. Owner Ahmad Zayat posted an internet message saying that his star three-year-old colt was beating colitis and no longer had a fever, was regaining his appetite, and his bloodwork was fine. As for the laminitis, Zayat said that it's not getting worse and Paynter seems to be comfortable and he is optimistic that he may be able to race again at some point.

Shanghai Bobby, owned by Starlight Racing and trained by Todd Pletcher, continues to top the HorseRacingNation.com 2013 Kentucky Derby hopeful rankings. The colt has already won three races, including his first graded stakes victory in the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga. His next start will likely come in the Grade I Champagne Stakes and then he would move on to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in November at Santa Anita.

According to DRF.com, jockey Junior Alvarado will miss at least a month with a broken collarbone after taking a fall off his ride this past Saturday at Belmont Park. It is the second time in the last two years that Alvarado has suffered a broken collarbone. Alvarado had been enjoying a great year, as he has ridden 137 winners this year and his horses have a total earnings of over $8 million, which ranks him in the top ten nationally. Derby Deals wishes Alvarado a speedy recovery, so he can resume his terrific season.

The DerbyDeals.com annual 10% off sale that begins with each fall racing season is underway. You can find great prices on Kentucky Derby tickets as well as all-inclusive Kentucky Derby ticket packages, which include a ticket to both the Oaks and Derby, as well as nice accomodations at a local hotel, and transportation to and from Churchill Downs.

In the first session of the Keeneland September yearling sale, two horses went for over a million dollars, including a $1.3 million bid on Bodemeister's halfsister. The other million dollar colt sold was half brother to Paynter, who won the Haskell Invitational and finished second in the Belmont Stakes to Union Rags. It seems as though 2012 has been a resurgent year for the throroughbred industry and seeing more money poured into purchases continues to add to the speculation that the sport is making a comeback.

Take Charge Indy is close to returning to the track according to owner Chuck Sandford. Take Charge Indy has been sidelined with a bone chip in his ankle since just after his run in the Kentucky Derby. Prior to the “Run for the Roses”, the colt had won the Grade I Florida Derby, and was looking forward to a big season. Take Charge Indy is expected to race again in the fall meet at Keeneland, being pointed towards the Grade II Fayette Stakes in October.

2012 Hopeful Stakes At Saratoga

What's Happening At The Track?Thoroughbred racing has had an up and down year in 2012 and even though we are in between a couple of the year’s biggest events with the Travers Stakes being behind us while the Breeders’ Cup still lies ahead, there are still several storylines to fo

Kentucky Derby Hopefuls Emerging EarlyOnly a few months have passed since the Kentucky Derby was won by I’ll Have Another. As soon as the Triple Crown season ends, it’s already time to start thinking about the new crop of hopeful two-year-olds who will be beginning their careers with an